German activists plan to collect migrants at Poland, Belarus border

Activists in Germany are planning to drive a bus to Poland to collect migrants with a view to bringing them to Germany, two organizations helping migrants said on Friday, reported dpa.

Seebruecke Deutschland (Sea Bridge Germany) and LeaveNoOneBehind also plan to ferry aid to migrants along Poland's border with Belarus, where many refugees fleeing conflict in the Middle East have congregated in recent weeks.

"The Interior Ministry is being asked to ensure that the bus is given a permit on its return trip to bring refugees safely to Germany as a sign of European solidarity," Seebruecke Deutschland said, adding that the bus was to leave on Monday.

The organization, whose main work lies in rescuing migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe, said it had made the relevant application to the German Interior Ministry.

"Unauthorized conveyance and any entry without permission may result in legal consequences," Interior Ministry spokesperson Steve Alter told dpa when asked about the plan. Announcing the action ahead of time altered nothing in that regard, he said.

He stressed that the relevant European Union regulations should be observed.

In response to EU sanctions, Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko said earlier this year he would not prevent migrants from travelling to the EU. EU leaders have accused him of effectively acting as a human trafficker.

Poland, Lithuania and Latvia have strengthened their borders with Belarus, but this has failed to prevent thousands reaching Germany, the preferred destination of many of the refugees, most of whom come from Syria, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan.

Poland has closed its border region with Belarus to journalists and aid workers.